Pepe's Taco Villa — Restaurant in Phoenix

Edit to this review We, after we purchased out newest vehicle, and the Eve of our 19th Anniversary wanted to come and celebrate both, at Pepe's.

However it was quite the disappointment and 'downer' on our day. The service was non-existent, quite the surprise from past experiences. The food was mediocre at best. Beans lacked the prior consistent flavor as was the Spanish rice. I ordered the Carne Asada, which was quite surprising when I was asked how I wanted it cooked, as I have always known Carne Asada as a marinated meat, simmered to a flakey consistency, much like Carnitas. Although I requested 'Rare' it came out well done and was this tiny almost single almost paper thin cut of meat...maybe 3 ounces at best. My partner had ordered the Pepe's Special, but it came out as the same cut of New York Strip as mine only 2-3 times thicker in size. It too, was grossly overcooked as Sonny had ordere3d Medium Rare and it came out Medium Well.

The male server nor the female that usually works lunches, came by our table after they delivered the entree's or we would have said something....asked questions about what was brought out to us. There did seem to be a large party in the back room, but there was only 1 other table in the dining room all the time we were there.

When we had to ask for the check, we did mention our displeasure, and both the male and female server, became very defensive...asking why we didn't say something before.....we told them they never came by to check if we were satisfied with our entrees. We were not intending to get anything discounted or gratis, as we ate what was brought to us...as unpalatable, a disappointment as it was....we just wanted to let the staff know of our displeasure. Again the defensiveness we encountered significantly exacerbated our displeasure.

Although this was the first time we had encountered, anything of this level of displeasure with Pepe's, actually the first time, but again the lack of "taking ownership" of the situation has caused us to rethink any revisit anytime soon. We both in our younger days have over 3 decades of foodservice experience between the 2 of us, and we know a facility can have a 'bad night', but recognizing ones failure(s) is the first step in atonement to customers you have dissatisfied, not trying to argue/lie about the service you claim you provided.

We were introduced to this establishment by our beloved "Doggie Park" family. As before it was an astounding 'find'!! We took my Cousins out with us and they were equally amazed...at what a wonderful place this is to dine! Sue loved her Pina Colada, stating it is the best she had ever had, our Margarita's although a bit lacking in 'sweet and sour', were quite the treat. The dishes we enjoyed, the Carnitas' dinner, the Relleno's dinner, the Combo plate and my Steak Picado were wonderful despite never having Steak Picado, served all chopped up like it was, nor cooked to the degree it was....it was still quite enjoyable. The chips were very, very tasty, they had a very 'fresh', unique but quite enjoyable flavor to them.

I have lived in Phoenix for 26 years, and in this area for the last 20, and I have, NEVER, noticed this place, despite driving by it many times a week, but what a "Hidden Gem', it is!!!

The parking is a bit sparse, but well worth the effort to get inside, which is quite comfortable and interesting.

I was equally impressed with the service, as it was the epitome of 'hospitable' and timely.

This establishment is a, Must Visit, if you truly enjoy authentic...

I took my niece, who was in the middle of a family crisis, and her God Mom, a long time family friend, here on recommendations of the god mom, as her new boyfriends family owned the restaurant. We needed a quiet place to figure things out, talk and share a decent meal. The owner, mother of the god mother's new boyfriend, talked at our table more than I could. I didn't have time to talk to my niece and figure anything out, the owner hovered and asked a barrage of very personal questions, like where we live, work, intend on doing, asked about our spiritual beliefs, pressed my niece (who did not know this woman) for all her personal information and problems, then prayed repeatedly for us. When she finally left, her son pulled me to the bar to talk about my families personal business, right beside their guests. When I was able to sit again, the owner comes back to re interrogate my wife and I, and when we finally told her this was a family matter that we haven't even been able to talk about, she became very indignant, huffy and finally excused herself. Now we can talk about food. By far, easily THE WORST Mexican food I've ever had in Phoenix.I ordered a carne chimi, on suggestion of the owner. The meat was not marinated, just heavily over salted. The tortilla had zero crunch anywhere, it was soggier than a burrito enchilada style that you left in the pass to long. I made it halfway through my burrito before I found a hair on my plate, and that's where I stopped. The beans were almost done cooking, but they weren't there. My niece got the carne asada fries, took three bites and made the same observation about the meat, and said the fries were greasy and soggy. My wife got the tostada that she couldn't eat, as her anxiety was piqued over being preached over while we were trying to deal with a very personal family matter. 1 chimichanga, 1 tostada and 1 carne asada fries, $54. Save your stomach and go to a Bertos,...

October, 2012:

Update! We just made our first (and last) dinner stop at Pepe's. What a difference from all of our lunch experiences! I just changed my rating of excellent service to good and that's only because I'm averaging the excellent service we receive during the lunch hour with the horrible service we received during our dinner. There was only one server, who was also the host, bartender and WAY more interested in the football game on the big screen then our drinks or food. It took more than 10 minutes for him to make a margarita on the rocks and the pork tacos were dry. However, we tried a new dish that we really enjoyed. #21: Costillas Asadas, Enchilada Queso - we ordered the enchilada mole style (as you can see below, mole is one of this places strong points) and it came with a really awesome fresh and limey pico de gallo.

September, 2012:

They've been around longer than I've been alive, so they must be doing something right! We just enjoyed lunch and got our regular #10, 3 soft spicy pork tacos that are seriously some of the most delicious tacos I've ever had the pleasure of eating, and #14, chicken enchiladas with mole sauce that is one best I've had in the Valley. (Although their mole doesn't hold a candle to Cafe Poca Cosa in Tucson, this was our lunch break, not a roadtrip.) This is in our regular rotation of lunch spots and we always receive excellent food and service. Every time we come, we want to order something different just to try it, but can't seem to stray from our favorites. You know...